Reaction Mechanisms : Definitions, Analogies, and Applications

The video tutorial explains the concept of reaction mechanisms using the example of nitrogen dioxide formation from nitric oxide and oxygen. It describes the process in two elementary steps, highlighting the formation of an intermediate. The tutorial uses a travel analogy to further clarify the concept, comparing the reaction mechanism to the total distance traveled and the net reaction to the displacement between two points.

What is a reaction mechanism?

• A chemical equilibrium

• A type of catalyst

• A series of elementary reactions

• A single step reaction

In the formation of nitrogen dioxide, what is the intermediate formed in the first step?

• Oxygen

• Dinitrogen dioxygen

• Nitrogen dioxide

• Nitric oxide

What happens in the second step of the nitrogen dioxide formation reaction?

• Nitric oxide decomposes

• Dinitrogen dioxygen reacts with oxygen

• Oxygen is released

• Nitric oxide reacts with oxygen

In the travel analogy, what does the total distance of 7 kilometers represent?

• The overall net reaction

• The reaction mechanism

• The displacement

• The speed of travel

What is the displacement of the traveler in the analogy?

• 7 kilometers

• 5 kilometers

• 3 kilometers

• 4 kilometers